....... So I just installed the CRT HEI and coupled with the MC2150 the motor runs excellently, I'm really happy, but, just wondered, should I of changed the gear on the new dizzy? It is a hardened gear and I read that some people change it for a soft gear, but a lot of people run with the hardened gear. If I have to change it where would I get the soft gear ? anybody got a part number? or ... has anybody covered loads of miles with the HEI as is ?
Thanks for your insight

Old4X

05-17-2013 09:18 PM

Did you test the gear for hardness? There is a thread on the CJ forum that tells how to test.

roadyrob

05-18-2013 04:57 AM

the CRT distributor gear is the correct one. I have had mine for over 5 years with no problems, probably over 35,000 miles. when I had my motor rebuilt I asked the rebuilder if he noticed any wear and he said everything was fine.

Tarpo

05-18-2013 06:33 AM

My CRT had the hardened gear, and it ate my cam shaft gear on my 4.2 after about 25000. When I did my engine swap I kept the CRT, I just swapped the dizzy gear for the softer one

shoebone

05-18-2013 09:35 AM

Tarpo,
Do you remember where you got the softer gear from?
The CRT gear is definatly harder, I tried drilling it and the drill bit just slid off. I had no trouble drilling the original gear.

Tarpo

05-18-2013 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoebone

Tarpo,
Do you remember where you got the softer gear from?
The CRT gear is definatly harder, I tried drilling it and the drill bit just slid off. I had no trouble drilling the original gear.

My father in law owns a machine shop, he used the lathe and did some work on the original gear to make it fit on the CRT. I figured that would be my safest bet considering it came from the factory with that exact metal.

roadyrob

05-18-2013 11:40 AM

you guys got me wondering about mine, but I've got quite a few miles on it. probably 25k before the rebuild, a little more than 10k since. maybe I'll pull the distributor and take a look, I'll let you know what I find.

roadyrob

05-18-2013 12:28 PM

just pulled my distributor, could only see about 1/3 of the cam gear but it looked good.

shoebone

05-18-2013 12:28 PM

25K miles, 35K miles ..... that's about ten years for me! I'll probably just run with the hard gear and see what happens

Tarpo

05-18-2013 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadyrob

just pulled my distributor, could only see about 1/3 of the cam gear but it looked good.

When it is starting to wear, it will look sharp on the edges. It may never wear out on you, but it did sneak up on me. And left me stranded.